Chapter 800

800.035(1) (1) A defendant may make an initial appearance in person or by submitting a written response to the citation or complaint except when the judge has required an appearance under s. 800.02 (2) (ag) 4. For the purposes of this section, if a defendant is a limited liability company, the defendant appears in person if the appearance is by a member, as defined in s. 183.0102 (11), by an agent or authorized employee of the defendant, or by an agent of the member or an authorized employee of the agent.

800.035(1m) (1m) An attorney may provide limited scope representation to a person involved in a municipal court action as provided in ss. 802.045 and 802.05.

800.035(2) (2) If a defendant appears in person, all of the following shall occur:

800.035(2)(a) (a) The court shall, either orally or in writing, do all of the following:

800.035(2)(a)1. 1. Inform the defendant of each charge and explain the range of penalties for each charge.

800.035(2)(a)2. 2. Inform the defendant that he or she may plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest or may request a continuance.

800.035(2)(a)3. 3. Inform the defendant of the right to a jury trial on charges filed under an ordinance in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5).

800.035(2)(a)4. 4. Inform the defendant that if he or she is unable to pay the forfeiture, costs, fees, or surcharges due to poverty, he or she may request an installment payment, community service, or a stay of the judgment.

800.035(2)(a)5. 5. Inform the defendant that he or she must notify the court in writing within 5 days of any change of his or her address during the pendency of the case.

800.035(2)(b) (b) The defendant shall enter a plea or request a continuance.

800.035(2)(c) (c) If the defendant refuses to enter a plea or request a continuance, the court shall enter a plea of not guilty on the defendant’s behalf.

800.035(2)(d) (d) If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, the court may find the defendant guilty of the offense to which the plea is entered and render judgment as provided under s. 800.09, and then determine if the defendant is unable to pay the judgment because of poverty, as that term is used in s. 814.29 (1) (d).

800.035(2)(e) (e) If the defendant pleads not guilty, the court shall schedule the case for a pretrial conference under s. 800.045, further proceedings, or trial, at the discretion of the court.

800.035(2m) (2m) A municipal court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or social worker certified or licensed under subch. I of ch. 457 for any defendant that the court has reason to believe lacks substantial mental capacity to understand the proceedings or assist in his or her defense. The person appointed under this paragraph shall assist the court in making a determination concerning the defendant’s mental capacity. If the court determines that the defendant lacks the mental capacity to understand the proceedings or assist in his or her defense, the court shall suspend the proceedings. The cost of the guardian ad litem or social worker shall be paid by the municipality or municipalities that established the court. The governing body may by ordinance or bylaw authorize the appointment of a guardian ad litem by the municipal judge in any other matter within the jurisdiction of the municipal court.

800.035(3) (3) If the defendant submits a written response to the citation or complaint and enters a plea of guilty or no contest, the court shall proceed under sub. (2) (d).

800.035(4) (4) If the defendant submits a written response to the citation or complaint and enters a plea of not guilty, the court shall proceed under sub. (2) (e).

800.035(5) (5) 

800.035(5)(a) (a) If a defendant is charged with a violation of an ordinance in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5), the municipality may by ordinance, or the judge may by order, require the defendant to appear in person before the court.

800.035(5)(b) (b) If a person fails to make a required personal appearance under this subsection and the judge issues an arrest warrant, the law enforcement agency that filed or transmitted the uniform traffic citation shall file a detailed description of the warrant with the department of justice.

800.035(5)(c) (c) If a defendant charged with a violation of an ordinance that is in conformity with s. 346.63 (1) or (5) pleads not guilty and within 10 days after entry of the plea requests a jury trial and pays the required fees, the municipal court shall promptly transmit all papers and fees in the cause, including any other citations or complaints arising from the same incident, to the clerk of the circuit court of the county where the violation occurred for a jury trial under s. 345.43. The plea of not guilty and request for jury trial may be made in writing. If the person refused to take a test under s. 343.305 (3) and requested a hearing under s. 343.305 (9) to determine if the person’s refusal was proper, the papers and fees involved in that action shall be transferred to the same circuit court, which shall conduct the refusal hearing. Upon receipt of the request, the circuit court shall set a time for trial. Any deposit made personally or in writing is forfeited upon nonappearance at the time set for trial. The required fee for a jury is prescribed in s. 814.61 (4).

800.035(6) (6) In all cases, a defendant may enter a plea of no contest and provide a deposit at any time before the initial appearance.

800.035(7) (7) 

800.035(7)(a) (a) A municipal judge may release a defendant without a deposit.

800.035(7)(b) (b) If the municipal judge determines that the defendant should not be released under par. (a), the municipal judge shall release the defendant on a deposit in the amount established for the violation. If the judge in a 1st class city determines that a defendant appearing before the judge through interactive video and audio transmission should not be released under par. (a), the judge shall inform the defendant that he or she has the right to appear personally before a judge for a determination, not prejudiced by the first appearance, as to whether he or she should be released without a deposit. On failure of the defendant to make a deposit under this paragraph, he or she may be committed to jail, for not more than 48 hours, only if the judge finds that there is a reasonable basis to believe the person will not appear in court.

800.035(8) (8) If the defendant does not appear, but has made a deposit in the amount set for the violation, he or she is deemed to have tendered a plea of no contest and submits to a forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, not exceeding the amount of the deposit. The court may impose any other penalties allowed by law. The court may either accept the plea of no contest and enter judgment accordingly, or reject the plea and issue a summons. If the court finds that the violation meets the conditions in s. 800.093 (1), the court may summon the alleged violator into court to determine if restitution shall be ordered under s. 800.093. If the defendant fails to appear in response to the summons, the court may issue a warrant under s. 968.09. If the defendant has made a deposit but does appear, the court shall allow the defendant to withdraw the plea of no contest.

800.035(9) (9) If a defendant does not appear at the initial appearance and has not made a deposit in the amount set for the violation, upon proof of jurisdiction under s. 800.01 (2), the court may either enter a default judgment under s. 800.09 or issue a warrant or summons to bring the defendant before the court. If a warrant is issued for a defendant under this subsection, the defendant may be detained in jail, for not more than 48 hours, prior to the initial appearance.

800.035 History History: 2009 a. 402 ss. 19, 72, 76, 79 to 82; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; Sup. Ct. Order No. 13-10, 2014 WI 45, 354 Wis. 2d xliii; 2015 a. 176; 2019 a. 70; 2021 a. 258; 2023 a. 55.

800.037 800.037 Deposit amount and schedule. The deposit in traffic cases shall be made as provided in s. 345.26. In boating cases, the deposit shall be made as provided in s. 23.66 and 23.67. The municipal court, with the approval of the governing body of the municipality, shall set the deposit schedule for all other cases. The deposit amount in the schedule may not exceed the maximum penalty established by the municipality for the offense, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814.

800.037 History History: 2009 a. 402.

800.045 800.045 Pretrial conferences.

800.045(1) (1) The municipal judge may schedule a pretrial conference. Upon agreement of the parties, the parties may waive a pretrial conference.

800.045(2) (2) If the defendant does not appear at the pretrial conference, the court may proceed under s. 800.035 (8) or (9).

800.045(3) (3) If the parties reach an agreement, the agreement shall be submitted to the court for the court’s approval. If an agreement is not reached, or if the court does not approve an agreement, the court shall schedule the action for further proceedings.

800.045 History History: 2009 a. 402.

800.05 800.05 Substitution or disqualification of municipal judge.

800.05(1) (1) A defendant may file a written request for a substitution of a new judge for the municipal judge assigned to the trial of that case. The written request shall be filed not later than 7 days after the initial appearance in person or by an attorney. The municipal judge against whom a request has been filed may set initial bail and accept a plea of not guilty.

800.05(3) (3) Upon receipt of the written request under sub. (1), the original judge shall have no further jurisdiction in the case except as provided in sub. (1) and except to determine if the request was made timely and in proper form. Upon such a determination, or if no determination is made within 7 days, the court shall transfer the matter to the chief judge of the judicial administrative district for the determination and reassignment of the action as necessary. If the request is determined to be proper, the case shall be transferred as provided in s. 751.03 (2). Upon transfer, the municipal judge shall immediately transmit to the appropriate judge all the records in the action. Upon receipt of the records, the new judge shall specify the court’s location in which the case will be heard and shall consider any objection to the proposed location in making the determination. In all such cases, the parties shall remain the same, the prosecutor of the transferring court shall be responsible for prosecution before the new judge, and the judgment, if any, shall be payable to the transferring court.

800.05(4) (4) 

800.05(4)(a) (a) If a new judge is assigned to the trial of the action, and the defendant has not exercised the right to substitute an assigned judge, a written request for the substitution of the new judge may be filed within 7 days after the giving of actual notice or sending of the notice of assignment to the defendant or the defendant’s attorney. If the notice occurs within 48 hours of the trial, or if there has been no notification, the defendant may make an oral or written request for substitution prior to the commencement of the proceedings.

800.05(4)(b) (b) If upon an appeal from a judgment or order or upon a writ of error the appellate court orders a new trial or reverses or modifies the judgment or order in a manner such that further proceedings in the municipal court are necessary, the person charged with a violation may file a request under sub. (1) within 20 days after the entry of the judgment or decision of the appellate court whether or not another request was filed prior to the time the appeal or writ of error was taken.

800.05(5) (5) If the municipal judge disqualifies himself or herself under s. 757.19 or SCR 60.04, the case shall be transferred under sub. (3).

800.05 History History: 1977 c. 305, 447; 1977 c. 449 s. 496; 1979 c. 32 ss. 68, 92 (17); Stats. 1979 s. 800.05; 1987 a. 151; 2009 a. 402; 2019 a. 70.

800.06 800.06 Illness, absence or vacancy; pending actions triable by court which receives papers; continuance on vacancy and notice of trial.

800.06(1) (1) If any municipal judge is to be temporarily absent or is sick or disabled, the municipal judge may, subject to the order of the chief judge of the judicial administrative district, designate another municipal judge from any municipality within the state to perform his or her duties for a period not to exceed 30 days.

800.06(2) (2) If any municipal judge is incompetent, unable or fails to act, s. 751.03 (2) applies. The parties and their attorneys shall be notified of the transfer to another judge.

800.06(3) (3) Notwithstanding s. 751.03 (2), if there is a permanent vacancy in the office of municipal judge, the chief judge of the judicial administrative district may designate another municipal judge to perform the duties of the office until the municipal governing body fills the vacancy by temporary appointment under s. 8.50 (4) (fm). The municipal judge designated under this subsection may exercise all of the authority of the municipal court to which he or she is assigned.

800.06 History History: 1977 c. 305; 1977 c. 449 s. 497; 1979 c. 32 ss. 68, 92 (17); Stats. 1979 s. 800.06; 1985 a. 304; 1987 a. 151; 1993 a. 384; 1995 a. 224; 2009 a. 402; 2019 a. 70.

800.065 800.065 Reserve municipal judges.

800.065(1) (1) Definitions. In this section, “ reserve municipal judge” means a former municipal judge who has complied with s. 755.03 and is appointed by the chief judge of the former municipal judge’s judicial administrative district to perform such specified duties on a day-by-day basis as the chief judge may direct.

800.065(2) (2) Eligibility. Any of the following persons may serve as a temporary reserve judge:

800.065(2)(a) (a) A person who has served a total of 8 or more years as a municipal judge.

800.065(2)(b) (b) A person who has served 4 or more years as a municipal judge and who was not defeated at the most recent time he or she sought election to judicial office.

800.065(3) (3) Compensation. Notwithstanding s. 755.04, reserve municipal judges under this section shall receive compensation in an amount agreed to by contract between the municipality and the reserve municipal judge.

800.065(4) (4) Training. All persons serving as reserve municipal judges under this section are subject to s. 755.18.

800.065 History History: 1987 a. 389; 2009 a. 402.

800.07 800.07 Discovery in municipal court. Neither party is entitled to pretrial discovery in any action in municipal court, including refusal hearings held by a municipal court under s. 343.305 (9), except that if the defendant moves for pretrial discovery within 30 days after the initial appearance in person or by an attorney, the court may order that the defendant be allowed to inspect documents, including lists of names and addresses of witnesses, if available, and to test under s. 804.09, under such conditions as the court prescribes, any devices used by the plaintiff to determine whether a violation has been committed. The defendant may move for pretrial discovery at any other time upon a showing of cause for that discovery.

800.07 History History: 1977 c. 305; 1979 c. 32 s. 68; Stats. 1979 s. 800.07; 1987 a. 389; 2003 a. 199; 2009 a. 402.

800.08 800.08 Procedure at trial.

800.08(1) (1) At trial the plaintiff shall provide a prosecutor who is an attorney authorized or licensed to practice law in this state. The plaintiff shall first offer evidence in support of the citation or complaint. The defendant may offer evidence after the plaintiff has rested. If the plaintiff and the defendant have offered evidence upon the citation or complaint, the parties may then respectively offer rebuttal testimony only, unless the court permits them to offer evidence upon their original case. Both parties shall have the opportunity to question all witnesses.

800.08(2) (2) 

800.08(2)(a) (a) Before testifying, every witness shall be required to declare that he or she will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation administered in a form calculated to awaken his or her conscience and impress the witness with the duty to testify truthfully.

800.08(2)(b) (b) The oath may be administered by the judge or his or her designee substantially in the following form: Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you shall give in this matter shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God.

800.08(2)(c) (c) Every person who declares that he or she has conscientious scruples against taking the oath, or swearing in the usual form, shall make a solemn declaration or affirmation, which may be in the following form: Do you solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the testimony you shall give in this matter shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; and this you do under the pains and penalties of perjury.

800.08(2)(d) (d) The assent to the oath or affirmation by the person making it may be manifested by the uplifted hand.

800.08(3) (3) The standard of proof for conviction of any person charged with violation of any municipal ordinance shall be evidence that is clear, is satisfactory, and convinces the judge to a reasonable certainty.

800.08(4) (4) Except as provided in s. 938.17 (2) (h) 3., the court shall be bound by the rules of evidence specified in chs. 901 to 911.

800.08(5) (5) If a defendant does not appear at trial, the court may enter a default judgment under s. 800.09.

800.08 History History: 1977 c. 305; 1979 c. 32 ss. 68, 92 (17); Stats. 1979 s. 800.08; 1997 a. 205; 2009 a. 402; 2013 a. 107.

800.085 800.085 Telephone and audiovisual proceedings. At any proceeding under this chapter, a party, witness, or interpreter may appear by telephone or by audiovisual means if any of the following applies:

800.085(1) (1) The parties so stipulate and the court approves.

800.085(2) (2) The court finds good cause after considering the following factors:

800.085(2)(a) (a) Whether any undue surprise or prejudice would result.

800.085(2)(b) (b) Whether the proponent has been unable, after due diligence, to procure the physical presence of the witness.

800.085(2)(c) (c) The convenience of the parties and the proposed witness and the cost of producing the witness in relation to the importance of the offered testimony.

800.085(2)(d) (d) Whether the procedure would allow full effective cross-examination, especially where availability to counsel of documents and exhibits available to the witness would affect such cross-examination.

800.085(2)(e) (e) The importance of presenting the testimony of witnesses in open court, where the finder of fact may observe the demeanor of the witness, and where the solemnity of the surroundings will impress upon the witness the duty to testify truthfully.

800.085(2)(f) (f) Whether the quality of the communication is sufficient to understand the offered testimony.

800.085(2)(g) (g) Whether a physical liberty interest is at stake in the proceeding.

800.085(2)(h) (h) Financial or physical limitations on the ability of the defendant or counsel for the defendant to be physically present.

800.085(2)(i) (i) Any other factors as the court may, in each individual case, determine to be relevant.

800.085 History History: 2009 a. 402; 2019 a. 70; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

800.09 800.09 Judgment.

800.09(1b) (1b) If the court finds a defendant guilty, the court may render judgment by ordering any of the following:

800.09(1b)(a) (a) A forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814.

800.09(1b)(b) (b) Community service work.

800.09(1b)(c) (c) An operating privilege suspension or revocation if authorized by law.

800.09(1b)(d) (d) Other dispositions authorized by law.

800.09(1b)(e) (e) For juveniles, dispositions authorized under s. 938.17 (2).

800.09(1d) (1d) The court shall apply any payment received on a judgment that includes restitution to first satisfy any payment of restitution ordered, then to pay the forfeiture, costs, fees, and surcharges.